Spring-equalizer.



No. 864,914. PATENTED SEPT. 3, 1907.

J. & A. RAAB.- SPRING EQ-UALIZER.

APPLIUATION FILED JAN. 16, 1906.

I u-uantow PATENT OFFICE.

.TOHN RA B- AND ANDREW RAAB, OFTACOIMA, WASHINGTON.

. SPRING-E QUAIJZER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 3, 1907.

Application filed January 16, 1906. Serial No. 296,372.

To all whom it may concern:

. Be it known thatwe, .TonN RAAB and ANDREW RAAB', citizens of the United States, residing at Tacoma, in the county of Pierce and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring-Equalizers; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertaius to make and ilsethe same.

This invention relates to improvements in spring equalizers.

The object of the invention is theconstruction of a spring equalizer which will prevent injury to the primary Ispring upon the contraction or expansion of the same.

With this, and other objects-in view, the invention consists of certain other novel constructions, combinamember, employed in constructing my spring equalizer. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a vertically movable, auxiliary member employed in constructing my spring equalizer. Fig. 5 is a perspective "View of one of the strap-engaging plates.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, l designates an ordinary axle upon which is mounted a primary spring 2, preferably an elliptical or elongated spring. Awehicle body 3 is secured to the spring 2 by means of bolt 4; said bolts 4 passing through strap-engaging plates 5 and on each side'of a transverse beam or support (hupon which rests the body 3 of the vehicle. The spring 2 is secured to the axle 1, preferably by means of bolts 7, 7, which pass through theflat, parallel extensions 8, 8 of the feet 9 of the base plate 10. The

bolts 7 also pass through an ordinary axle-engaging plate 11. A springengaging block 12 is preferably interposcd between axle 1 and spring ,2. The axle 1 and block l2 constitute a support upon which is mounted and to which is secured spring 2. The strap-engaging plates 5 are likewise secured to a support, which is, in

permitting a strap 16 to be positioned over said bar 15 feet is positioned at substantially right-angles to the.

legs 9. Within the apertures of the extensions or feet 8, said bolts 7 are positioned, Figs. '1 and 2. Integral with thebase 10 is a hollow post 19, which is partially closed at its upper end, terminating in an aperture 20.

A removable, auxiliary member 21 is positioned upon the post 19, but is, preferably separated from the base 10 of the primary member 18 by means of a flexible washer 22, which is preferably formed of leather or any analogous material. The member 21 comprises an annular body 22., which is formed with a socket or seat 23 and with a central aperture 24. Laterally extending arms 25, 25 areformed upon the body22. Eyes 26 are formed on the outer ends of the arms 25., The strap 16 connects the eyes 26 and the strap-engaging plates 5. Each of these st'raps is of ordinary type, and through the medium of the buckles 27, they may be adjusted for taking up anyslack.

A coiled spring 28 is positioned around the hollow or tubular post 19, and the lower end of said spring 28 is seated within the seat 23 of the verticallyslidable member 21. A removable bolt 29 is positioned upon the post 19. The shank of the bolt 2 9 extends through the aperture 20 of the post, and thehead of said bolt is normally within the post 19. i The upper or threaded end of the bolt 29 extends through the central portion of cap 30.- The cap 30 is securely retained upon the bolt by means of nut 31. i Thecap 30 is provided with a lower seat 32 and an upper seat 33. The lower seat 32. is preferably of the same dimensions as the similar seat23, as the upper end of the coiled spring 28 is positioned within the seat 32, while its lower end is positioned within the seat 23 of the slidable member 21. -The upper seat 33' of cap 30, not only has the nut seated therein, but abul'l'er 34 is seated within this portion of the cap." The buffer or lug .5 1 is preferably formed of rubber or any analogous material. I 7

When the springs of a vehicle (which springs maybe elliptical shaped) are compressed or contracted, by the vehiclerunning into arut, the springs in returning to their normal position are subjected to a violent action, that, if not taken up by some auxiliary'means, is likely to break or injure the springs. With my struc' ture, when the primary springs 2 are compressed is contracted, the same engages the buffers or lugs M 110 forcing the caps downward and thereby conupressing coiled springs 28. The spring 28 will permit the ex pansion of its cooperating spring 2, after it. has been compressed, until the spring 2 has passed beyond its normal position, when the recoil oi the primary or elliptical spring 2 will be arrested, as the expanding action of said s1 ing '2 will be taken up in the contracting or compressing of the coiled spring 28 through the medium oi the straps l6 and the slidable. auxiliary memher 21. it will be noted that after the primary spring has been expanded to its normal position. additional expansion of said spring will compress or contract the auxiliary spring whereby the action of said primary spring is equalized sutliciently to prevent any injury to the spring or vehicle carried thereby. When a other vehicle employing my invention straps iii will be loosened as the elliptical or primary spring is forced down.

The auxiliary spring 28 stops the recoil ot' the primary or elliptical spring 2 by reason of the straps being attached below said spring 28 to thti slid-able member 21. It is to be noted that spring' fiZSdoeS not exert power by expansion, as it never expands beyond the normal. its power is always created. by contraction, whether the motion oi the elliptical or primary spring wagon or any is loaded. the

2 be upward or downward. liy compressing or contracting the primary spring 2, the upper portion of the same will be caused to engage butter 34, and, ouseqnently, compressing spring 28; alter the primary spring has passed its normal position, the spring 28 will be compressed, through the medium of the straps l6 and the member 21. The equalizing ot' the action oi the primary spring 2 is caused by the compression oi" said spring 28 whether the spring 2 is compressed or expanded.

What I claim is:

i. in a device of the character described, the combina tion with a support, of an elliptical spring carried by said support. a stz'ttionary member provided with a hollow post.

carried by the lower portion of said elliptical spt'ing,' 1'

reciprocating member adapted to reciprocate in said post a slidable member positioned upon said stationary member and surrounding said post. a coiled spring positioned upon said slidable member and surrounding said post and le-" ciproeatin: member, fastening means for securina said coiled spring upon said post anti reciproculing means, and means connecting the upper portion of saidelliptical sprint, and said slidahle member.

J. In a deviceot' the character described, the eombipte tion ot' a primary sprint: provided with upper and lower portion. a stationary member provided with a post, en engine: the lower portion of said primary spring, a verlically movable member engaging said post, yielding means surrounding said post and engaging said movabltrmemher. a hollowed out cap for fastening said yielding means upon said post. and flexible means connecting opposite parts of said movable ntEmber and'the upper portion of said primary spring.

.i. in a device of the character described, the combination of an elliptical spring. a stationary member carried by the lower portion of said spring, said stationary-member provided with a central, hollow post, a slidable member engaging said post. said slidable member provided with lateral extensions, :1 yielding member positioned around said post and engaging said slidable member, a bolt positioned within said post and extending between said yielding member, a cap secured upon the upper end of said bolt and engaging the upper end of said yielding member, and means connecting the upperportion of said spring and the lateral extensions of said slidable member.

4. in a' device of the character described, the combina tion of an elliptical spring, a vertically movable member positioned between the upper and lower portions of said spring, said member comprising an annular body provided with a seat. said member provided with lateral extensions. each extension provided with an eye upon its outer end, means connecting said eyes and upper portion of said spring. and means normally exerting a downward pressure upon said movable mcmbenl ft. in a device of the character described, the combination of an'clliptical spring, a stationary member engaging the lower portion of said spring, a movable member provided with lateral extensions, car led by said stationary member, a cap. means connecting said cap to saidstationarr member, yielding means interposed between said cap and said ntov'ablc member, and ineans adjustably connect bur said lateral extensions ,and the upper portion of said elliptical springs.

ti. In a device of the character described, the combination of an elliptical spring, a stationary member provided with a past, carried by the lower portion of said spring, t1 slidable member positioned upon said post, a cap, means connecting said cap to said post, a butter carried by said cap. and means connecting the upper portion of said spring and slidable member. I

't'. [n a device of the character described. the combination of a primary spring comprising upper and lower portions, a cap interposed between the upper and lower portions of the said primary spring. yielding means carried by the upper portion of said cap, yielding means positioned beneath said cap, and means connecting the upper portion of said spring and the lower portion of the yielding means positioned beneath the cap. I v

in testimony whereof we atllx our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN RAAB. ANDREW RAAB.

Witnesses lCntL U. STENBERG, it. ll. LI ND. 

